Fromberg Minutes Feb. 3

Mayor, Richard Anderson called the meeting to order and opened with the Pledge Of Allegiance.

Town council members present: Sharon Barnes, Dave Flint and Tim Nottingham. Chief of Police Ralph Dawson and Town Attorney Hope Freeman were present. Town Clerk Brenda Kansala not present due to illness and PWD Mike Ventling not present at a training.

Letters of Intent for open council seat vacated by Diane Dalin to fill the term until Dec. 31, 2015, were received by Terry Feller, Richard McCall and James A. Perkins. Letters of Intent were read aloud. Each person addressed council stating why the council should consider them to fill council seat. Feller did tell council he would only be able to attend 5 council meetings, including this one, because of his work schedule as dates are normally set for first Monday of each month. Discussion held.

Voting was put to an open vote by town council. Richard McCall received no votes. Terry Feller received one vote. James A. Perkins received two votes. Council seated Mr. James A. Perkins after being sworn in by Mayor, Richard Anderson.

Election Of Town Council President: Discussion held. Motion by Barnes to appoint Jim Perkins as council president. No second. Motion died. Motion by Nottingham to appoint Flint as council president. No second. Motion died. Motion by Nottingham and seconded by Flint to appoint Sharon Barnes as Town Council President. Approved unanimously.

Review and Adopt Agenda: Motion by Barnes and seconded by Nottingham to adopt the agenda as written. Approved unanimously. Minutes: Motion by Nottingham and seconded by Barnes to approve the minutes of Jan. 6, 2014. Approved unanimously. Bills: Discussion held. Motion by Nottingham and seconded by Barnes to approve the bills as a majority vote. Two abstain who had not had time to review the bills. Approval by majority of the quorum. Employee Reports: Clerk report read aloud by Mayor Richard Anderson. Reports given to council: Utility billing for water, sewer and garbage, accounts receivable summary and billing journal summary for December 2013 and January 2014. Claim approval list and combined check register for January and February to date, payroll check register and electronic liability check list for deposits in January 2014 also included. Motion by Flint and seconded by Nottingham to approve clerk report as presented. Approved unanimously. Public Works Report from Mike Ventling: Public works report read aloud by Mayor Richard Anderson. Discussion held on: flat tire on backhoe, alarms going off at sewer lagoons possibly because floats not working correctly, flatbed for truck, the need of a new meter for testing at the lagoons and Master Meter System calling giving update on equipment. Mayor Anderson said Great West Engineering will be here Wednesday February 5th to meet with mayor and Ventling and will present information to council. PER can be done by end of February and on schedule. Motion by Flint and seconded by Perkins approve PWD report and authorize Mayor Anderson to expense for sand and Master Meter parts as necessary. Approved unanimously. Police Report Chief Ralph Dawson: Discussion on welfare checks, trespass at school, agency assists, investigations, citations, warnings, bench trial coming up, disorderly conduct, dispatched deer, domestic assault, road slide offs, motorist assist, unrestrained dogs, ID 'd drivers at beet dump, radio bid out of date on police car, tactical repeaters (radios) primarily for fire and emergency, call in privacy communication issue originated in Minnesota, checking on ice conditions at corners, and Tahoe plug came loose on back of alternator. Ordered four new tires for police car from Samms Automotive after permission from Mayor Anderson. Attended Prosecution In Domestic Violence Cases class in Red Lodge on January 27. Gave information on upcoming classes. Dawson said reserve candidate, Jake Parker, dropped out. Motion by Barnes and seconded by Nottingham to accept police report as read. Approved unanimously. Correspondence: Mayor Anderson read aloud letter from Doug and Dawne Campbell for offer to lease 40 acres offering $1000. annual payment or in installments. Discussion held. Town Attorney Hope Freeman will draw up contract for next council meeting. Letter from Tomahawk Restaurant and Casino requesting to dig a small pond on back of property. Discussion held. Property has been annexed into town. Mayor said this action is okay. Letter from Mary Lou Pilati requesting water bill reduction when water shut off because of frozen and broken pipes. Discussion held. Flint said he does believe this happened in morning on December 11, 2013, before fire at The Little Little Cowboy Bar. Mayor will review with Ventling and let council know decision. Mayor read aloud letter from Kathy Plettenberg, CDBG Specialist, stating HUD is now listing Fromberg at 59.8% Low-to-Moderate Income establishing the Town's eligibility to apply to CDBG ( Community Development Block Grant) for grants. Ordinance 259: An Ordinance Specifically Providing For The Operation Of Golf Carts Within The Fromberg Town Limits – Second reading: Attorney Freeman said this ordinance conflicts with state statute and still waiting to hear back from Attorney General Tim Fox with his opinion. Discussion held. No motions. Failed on seconded reading. Resolution #435: A Resolution Of The Town Council Of The Town Of Fromberg Authorizing Mayor Richard Anderson And Any Current Town Council Member Be The Signatories On Account # xxx077 At Valley Federal Credit Union in Billings, Montana. Motion by Perkins and seconded by Barnes to accept this resolution with the addition of the name James A. Perkins, Councilperson. Approved unanimously. Resolution #436: A Resolution Of The Town Council Of The Town Of Fromberg, Montana, Calling For An Election On The Question Of Conducting A Local Government Review And Establishing A Study Commission to Do So: Motion by Flint and seconded by Barnes to approve this resolution with adding into number 1 the words: “electing and funding”. Approved unanimously. Zoning Committee: None. 2013-2014 Budget: Mayor Anderson said Black Mountain budget module which we do not have would cost $1480. plus $400 per year maintenance. Discussion held. Old Business: Discussion held on codification of town codes. Other Business: Nottingham brought up discussion on police commission and a public works commission under the direction of the mayor. Public Comment: ( For those items NOT on the agenda) None. Next Town Council Meeting: Monday, March 3, at 7:00 PM at the Town Hall of Fromberg. Adjourn: Motion by Flint and seconded by Perkins to adjourn the meeting. Approved unanimously. Meeting adjourned.